The White House Announces Extension of Syria-related Emergency
The White House has announced the extension of the Syria-related state of emergency for an additional year, which means the continuation of emergency measures imposed by the United States on Syria.
The statement was issued by the White House on Wednesday, confirming President Joe Biden’s signing of the decision to extend the national emergency regarding Syria for another year.
The previous extension of the state of emergency was issued in May 2023, a few days after the Arab League announced that Damascus would return to its seat after 12 years of suspension of its membership.
The current extension decision came a year after the previous extension.
The United States first declared a state of emergency related to Syria in 2004 and has since been extended annually.
This emergency was accompanied by a series of sanctions imposed by the United States on Damascus since 1980.
The United States has a military presence in Syria through several illegal bases in eastern Syria, including the Koniko gas field base, the Shaddadi base, the Kharab al Jir base, and the al Tanf base in southeastern Syria.
At these bases, US forces conduct joint military exercises with the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) and regularly bring military and logistical reinforcements to these bases.
The decision to extend the state of emergency reflects the continued policy of sanctions and pressure on the Syrian regime by the US administration, at a time when US forces continue to consolidate their military presence in the region in cooperation with their local partners.
